In the wake of ties with a move to MLS franchise Inter Miami, Neymar has spoken about his future in an interview with RMC Sport.
Neymar appears to have closed the door on a considered move to Inter Miami – at least for now – by saying in an interview that he would like to go to next summer's Club World Cup with current club Al Hilal.
Ahead of the 2025 Major League Soccer season, which kicks off at the end of February, Neymar has been heavily tipped for a move to Florida, where he would be reunited with former Barcelona striker partners Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. In addition, Miami has appointed another ex-Barça teammate, Javier Mascherano, as its new head coach.
I look forward to participating in the CWC 2025 with Al Hilal, says Neymar
However, Neymar told RMC Sport this week that his focus for the foreseeable future will be on proving his worth to Al Hilal after picking up an injury against the Saudi Pro League leaders so far.
“I want to have a good season at Al Hilal,” said the 32-year-old. “I am coming back from a very serious injury. It will take a while before I get back to my best and can show why I'm here.
“My priority is to recover well, continue to improve physically and play regular football again. I am eager to play with Al Hilal in the Club World Cup in 2025 because it is a very important competition for the club.”
ACL injury disrupts Neymar's Saudi spell
Since joining Al Hilal in August 2023, Neymar has been limited to just seven appearances and one goal for the Blue Waves after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while on duty in Brazil three months later.
As things stand, the former Santos, Barça and Paris Saint-Germain star will be a free agent next summer, with his contract with Al Hilal expiring at the end of the 2024/25 season. In addition to his links with Inter Miami, he has also been tipped to return to Brazil to rejoin Santos.
Should Miami make a move for the striker at any point, sources within the American club say, MLS would have to relax salary cap rules to allow such a move.
Who will Al Hilal face at the Club World Cup?
Al Hilal, who qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup as winner of the 2021 AFC Champions League, has been drawn in Group H with Real Madrid, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg.
Inter Miami will also be present at the Club World Cup after being chosen as the host club for the 32-team tournament, which will be held in 11 cities across the US in June and July. The Herons, who face Al Ahly in the opening match of the event, have been placed in Group A with the Egyptians, as well as Palmeiras and Porto.
Will Neymar go to the next World Cup?
Speaking to RMC Sport, Neymar also spoke about his desire to go to the World Cup for National Teams with Brazil in 2026. “The World Cup is obviously the goal of every player,” he said. “I have already been to three World Cups, but I would like to be at a fourth. That's what I have to strive for, work towards that as a medium-term goal, after firing on all cylinders again here with my club.”
Neymar, who scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil, was part of the Seleção squad at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Comments